Roll clearing



ROLL CLEARING "Filed Nov;1`.1,19ev

INVENTORS HARRY S. BARR. JRV

ALFRED C. MORROW R. HOVAN HOCUTT SYM) M ATTORNEY.

27 W|LLIAM c. Bliss. JR.

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3,541,630 ROLL CLEARING Harry S. Barr, Jr., William C. Bess, Jr., Alfred C. Morrow, and Rudolph Horan Hocutt, Charlotte, N.C., assignors to Pneumafil Corporation, Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 679,901 Int. Cl. D01h 5/66 U.S. Cl. 15-308 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Roll clearing apparatus for preventing and removing accumulations of foreign matter from processing rolls such as used in textile processing apparatus in which the rolls are subject to axial shifting. A suction nozzle coupled to an appropriate low pressure source, such as the intake of a fan, is arranged adjacent the rolls to be cleared with the intake orifice of the nozzle at a spaced distance from the roll to be cleared to provide clearance for any roll movement. A roll engaging wiping shoe is movably supported on the nozzle on the side of the nozzle orifice forward of the orifice with respect to the direction of rotation of the roll to be cleared.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of roll clearing, and more particularly to an improved technique for clearing rolls of accumulations of foreign matter by the utilization of a suction air stream.

A variety of suction clearing nozzles have been evolved to implement the removal of foreign matter from the surfaces of processing rolls, as in the textile arts where the drafting rolls of textile processing apparatus such as spinning frames, roving frames and the like must be maintained free of accumulations of foreign matter. Such accumulations result when fiber residues which tend to coat the rollers, cause the fibers themselves to stick to the rollers, producing so-called lap ups.

In order to prevent such accumulations, a variety of suction clearing apparatus has been evolved employing a suction nozzle in combination with a movable shoe to accommodate roll movement, such for example as shown by U.S. Pat. 3,251,101. As disclosed by this patent, a suction nozzle is arranged in proximity to the surface of the rolls to be cleared, and a slidable sleeve-like shoe is extended from the nozzle orifice to ride over the roll surface. The movable shoe permits axial displacement of the roll 'without requiring nozzle movement. The shoe contacts the roll surface at the leaving side of the surface with respect to the orifice. One wouldk intuitively expect that material wiped from the roll surface by the contact of the shoe therewith would accumulate at the point of initial contact of the shoe with the foreign matter, which would then be entrained into the air stream established by the nozzle.

It is found, however, in experience that lap ups pass under the shoe, and are drawn up on the side of the shoe remote from the nozzle orifice, and additionally, air born fibers tend to accumulate in the crevices formed by the relatively close clearances between the shoe and the nozzle. Such accumulations eventually foul the shoe and block the nozzle, and require periodic cleaning of the nozzle and wiping shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is with the vabove problems and considerations in mind that the present improved roll cleaning apparatus has been evolved for use with rolls subject to axial shifting in which the roll surface is effectively cleared of foreign material, lap ups are prevented, laps removed, and any accumulations of foreign matter on the suction cleaning nozzle and wiping shoe are eliminated, and axial movement of the rolls accommodated without requiring nozzle movement.

It is, accordingly, among the primary objects of this invention to provide improved suction clearing means for rolls.

A further object of the invention is to provide suction clearers for axially movable rolls in which accumulations of foreign matter on the clearer components are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suction clearer for rolls which are axially movable without requiring movement of the nozzle of the clearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved suction clearing nozzle arrangement.

These and other objects of the invention, which will become hereafter apparent, are achieved by providing one or more nozzles connected by appropriate suction duct work to a low pressure source, such as the intake side of a fan. The nozzles are arranged with their intake orifices at a spaced distance from the moving surfaces to be cleared, which in the illustrated embodimnet here described, are shown by way of example as the surfaces of textile processing rolls, such as drafting rolls. In order to effect clearing of the roll surface, the roll surface is wiped advance of its movement into the air stream established by the nozzles. Since it is desired to maintain the nozzles stationary while permitting roll movement, this is accomplished in accordance with the invention by means of a wiping shoe which is movably mounted with respect to a stationary nozzle to engage the roll surface to be cleared in advance of its movement into the air stream, or as hereinafter described as forward of the orifice with respect to the direction of rotation of the roll.

A feature of the invention resides in the recognition of the fact that roll clearing efficiency may be significantly improved by the utilization of the suction ducts in which a wiping member is positioned to engage the surface of the roll to be cleared at a point forward of the nozzle orifice.

Another feature of the 4invention resides in the provision of a roll engaging wiping shoe on a roll clearing suction nozzle in which the roll axis may be displaced with respect to the nozzle without interfering with clearing efficiency by arranging the shoe for movement with respect to the nozzle, while maintaining contact with the roll surface.

A further feature of the invention resides in the ar- `rangement of the wiping shoe at a spaced distance from the suction nozzle to minimize crevices in which foreign matter may accumulate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suction nozzle provided with a wiping shoe in accordance with the teaching of this invention, as viewed from the rear of the top front roll of a roll stand, and showing a roll in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a suction roll clearer and shoe shown in operative position with respect to a roll, such as the top front roll of a spinning frame;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, looking from the left of FIG. 2;

3 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the relationship between the wiping shoe and the suction nozzle; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the wiping shoe illustrating a preferred weighting arrangement therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

The invention has been illustrated as embodied in connection with the clearing of the top front roll of a spinning frame. It will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that the same inventive concept may be embodied in connection with the clearing of any roll surface.

As seen in the drawing, the clearer comprises a nozzle 12, having a rounded rectangular cross section, as best seen in FIG. 4. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the lower end of the nozzle 12, facing the roll R to be cleared, is provided with orice wall 14 having orifice 15 formed therein. The upper end of the nozzle 12 is formed with flange 17 at a slightly spaced distance from the top thereof, so that the top of the nozzle 12 projects above the ange 17 as a nipple 18. Flange 17 is preferably contoured to engage the surface of suction duct 20 with nipple 18 of a length preferably less than the thickness of the duct side wall and projecting through the side wall of the suction duct to provide a smooth air path between the interior of the nozzle 12, and the suction duct or flute 20.

Extending from the opposite ends of nozzle 12, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, are pivot pins 22 and 23.

Roll engaging wiping shoe is pivotally secured with respect to the sleeve by means of pivot pins 22 and 23. Shoe 25 is of a yoke shaped configuration, as best seen in FIG. 4, comprising clearer plate 27 having ears 28 and 29 which straddle nozzle 12. Ears 28 and 29 are formed with pivot pin engaging openings 32 and 33 respectively, which are slightly larger in diameter than the pivot pins 22 and 23 respectively so as to loosely fit over the pivot pins. Wiping shoe plate 27 is preferably formed with a rounded nose 35 providing line contact with the surface of roll R, as best seen in FIG. 2. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the components of the nozzle assembly, including nozzle 12 and clearer shoe 25 are preferably formed of any one of a wide variety of moldable plastics. Polymers such as Du Ponts Delrin or Celaneses Celcon, are found suitable. When using these moldable plastics, it is desirable to increase the weight of shoe plate 27 by incorporating weight 38 of a relatively high density material, such as steel, lead, or the like, in the plate. This may be accomplished by molding the weight 38 directly into the shoe 25 at the time of molding, or by routing out a recess for the weight, and after insertion of the recess, superposing a cover plate over the plate.

OPERATION As above discussed, the inventive concept here disclosed resides in a recognition of the fact that where suction nozzles are employed for roll clearing, it is generally found necessary to implement removal of accumulations of material from the roll surface by wiping the surface of the roll as it passes into the air stream established by a suction nozzle. Conventionally employed roll wiping members must be movably supported with respect to the relatively fixed nozzles, so as to accommodate axial displacement of the rolls, and so as to accommodate roll irregularities Without damaging the rolls. Previously evolved movable wiper members have been 'subject to fouling by the foreign matter removed from the rolls, with the foreign matter accumulating on the sides of the wiping member remote from the nozzle orifice and in creyices between the wiping member and the nozzle. According to the invention, this is eliminated by positioning the wiping member on the nozzle with clearance between the wiper and the nozzle, and with the wiper positioned forwardly of the nozzle with respect to the roll surface. It appears that in accordance with Bernoullis theorem, the speed of rotation of the roll creates a slight vacuum immediately adjacent the surface of the roll with respect to the surrounding atmosphere, so that any accumulations of foreign matter on the roll surface remain pressed against the roll surface, and are drawn beneath the wiper member. Upon passing out from under the wiper member, the reduction in pressure provided by the upward curve of the wiper nose permits the foreign matter to move up the wiper member. Additionally, the spacing between the `wiper and nozzle wall permits the flow of air through this space to remove any foreign matter therefrom. Movement of the wiper shoe as a result of roll displacement further aids in dislodging any accumulations.

In practicing the invention in connection with a spinning frame, appropriate duct work or fiutes 20 are arranged to extend in the vicinity of the rolls to be cleared, and clear assemblies 10 are connected to the duct work, with the duct work being connected to an appropriate suction source, such as the intake side of a fan or the like.

A variety of apparatus may obviously be evolved based on the principles here discussed. One preferred embodiment which is above described and illustrated employs a pivotally mounted roll engaging wiper shoe 25 arranged on a suction nozzle 12, with the suction nozzle at a spaced distance from the roll surface.

It is found that a clearer assembly 10, as above discussed, serves to clear the rolls of accumulations of foreign matter, and any lap ups dislodged by the action of the clearer' shoe against the roll surface pass beneath nose 35 and are drawn into the air stream established by the nozzle 12. Upon passing benath the nose 35, the reduced pressure produced by the flow of the suction air stream passing into nozzle 12, along with the reduction of pressure from the movement of the layer of air immediately adjacent the roll surface out from beneath the nose 35, serves to dislodge any accumulations of material on the roll surface which are then drawn into the suction flute 20 for collection at some suitable remote point, such for example as by means of a Pneumafil collector unit, or the like.

It is thus seen that an improved suction clearer has been provided particularly effective in roll clearing, lap prevention, and lap removal.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illusthation and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein dislosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In processing apparatus having rolls engaging the processed material, means for clearing the rolls of any accumulations of foreign matter, said means comprising. a suction duct positioned adjacent the rolls to be cleared; a suction nozzle coupled to said suction duct and extending therefrom toward the surface of a roll to be cleared, said nozzle having two spaced wall portions extending to an inlet orifice spaced from the surface of the roll to be cleared, said nozzle having two spaced wall portions extending to an inlet orifice spaced from the surface of the roll to be cleared; and a roll engaging shoe comprising a plate member having ears extending from said plate member to straddle the nozzle wall forward of the direction of roll rotation, said plate member movably supported on the nozzle, with an air space between the plate and the nozzle wall forward of the orifice with respect to the direction of rotation of the roll to be cleared to form a smooth surfaced air channel between said plate and said forward nozzle wall, [said wiping shoe engaging the roll surface forward of the orice with respect to the direction of roll rotation.

2. Apparatus, as in claim 1, in which said wiping shoe is pivotally supported on said nozzle.

3. Apparatus, as in claim 2, in which the pivot connection between said shoe and nozzle permits movement of said shoe, both transversely and axially, with respect to the nozzle.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said plate has a 10 rounded edge contacting the roll to be cleared; and a pivot connection between said ears and said nozzle.

5. Apparatus, as in claim 4, in which said pivot connection comprises pivot pins extending from said nozzle 1 into openings in said ears which openings are larger than the pins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,719,334 10/1955 Buchanan 19-263 X 3,101,504 8/1963 Gasser l5256.5l

FOREIGN PATENTS 872,939 7/ 1961 Great Britain. 1,297,224 5/ 1962 France.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,541L630 Dated 1.1/24/70 Inventor(s) Harry S. lBarr, JI'. et B1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In claim l,co1umn 4, lines 67-69 should read be cleared; and a roll engaging wiping shoe comprs" SIGNED mi) Utica! FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 1L. 

